WILTSHIRE Police are investigating a fatal crash which involved a car hitting a wild boar on the M4.

At 6.40pm last night a black Seat Ibiza hit a wild boar in lane two of the motorway, and then collided with a lorry.

The driver of the Seat Ibiza, a 47 year-old man from Royal Wootton Bassett, died at the scene. The driver of the white Renault lorry was treated by ambulance staff but did not require hospital treatment.

The road re-opened at 2.40am this morning having been shut shortly after the crash.

PS Steven Love said: "This is a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

"It is quite rare for a wild boar to be on the carriageway of the motorway. It is more common for the police to receive calls involving horses or deer but each is equally dangerous to motorists. 

"This was a particularly large wild animal and would have caused considerable damage to any vehicle.
 
"I would appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Mark Cargill via 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information may be left anonymously.